Latest news with #NorthAndhra
Hans India
22-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Promoting holistic wellness through a month-long drive
Visakhapatnam: In a stress-laden life, embracing yoga as an integral part of life offers umpteen benefits. Emphasising it, district officials and public representatives flagged off a month-long 'Yogandhra-2025' campaign in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Apart from highlighting the significance of leading a stress-free life by integrating yoga into one's daily routine, the officials underlined how Visakhapatnam is set to be placed on a global map with the event. 'The image of Visakhapatnam will go several notches up with the event as lakhs are expected to be part of it,' emphasised MLC Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao and MLA PGVR Naidu (Ganababu). Along with them, Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, Joint Collector Mayur Ashok and City Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi demonstrated asanas marking the inaugural of the awareness drive. As a run-up to the International Yoga Day (IYD) celebrations scheduled on June 21 in Visakhapatnam, the month-long awareness drive to integrate a host of activities. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam to take part in the event as chief guest on June 21, the district officials are pulling out all stops to make elaborate arrangements for the IYD celebration. Exhorting people to come together, the District Collector called for collective support to make the record-breaking event a grand success. As part of the drive, yoga experts train people in special asanas, aqua yoga, etc., The picturesque coastline stretching along RK Beach, Bheemunipatnam, Bhogapuram and Srikakulam would become a stage for the celebrations. About 2 crore people are expected to be part of the IYD celebrations in Andhra Pradesh. Of them, 5 lakh people are going to join from North Andhra districts. In addition to dedicated training sessions, demos and contests will be held during the month-long drive which is expected not just to witness a huge participation but also encourage people to incorporate yoga asanas in their daily routine for holistic wellness.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Families of Indian Defence forces from North Andhra show unwavering support amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan
Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, many families with loved ones serving in the Defence forces are experiencing anxiety over the increasingly war-like situation. Despite their concern, they expressed strong support for their family members and stand firmly with the armed forces during this critical time. The North Andhra districts, including Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, have long contributed significantly to the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force. In the light of current developments, the leave of several personnel has been cancelled, while others have been urgently recalled to duty. 'My husband was supposed to come on leave on May 11 to attend our son's cradle ceremony scheduled for next week. However, we were informed that his one-month leave has been cancelled,' said Ms. Rekha from Pendurthi. Her husband, who serves in the Indian Air Force, is currently stationed in a place in Karnataka and is expected to be deployed to Jammu in the coming days due to the situation. 'Yes, there is some concern after watching the attacks last night, but we are coping up. When he called me yesterday, I told him to stay fully focused on his duty and not let anything distract him. He seemed to be determined and said it was a great opportunity to serve the country,' she said, adding that throughout the night she has been watching the TV and the social media for the updates. Naresh Kumar's nephew is currently serving with the Indian Air Force in Jammu. Since the launch of Operation Sindoor, the family has not heard from him. 'Whenever he is deployed on operations, he goes on silent for a few days,' Mr. Naresh explains. 'We are accustomed to it by now. He has served in several states including Punjab, West Bengal, the Andaman Islands, and now Jammu. He has also worked in Drass. We are confident that he will fulfill his duties with dedication for the country and return safely.' Twenty-six-year-old N. Kamala's husband, N. Ravi, is serving in the Indian Army and is currently stationed in Meghalaya. The couple hails from Palasa mandal in Srikakulam district. While Ravi was on leave, he received an urgent call from Army officials to report back to duty immediately. 'Although we are not near the Pakistan border, the areas along the borders with Bangladesh and China have also been put on high alert, and I've been asked to return,' Ravi said. He added that his previous posting was in Srinagar. 'Every time he leaves for duty, there's always a sense of worry,' Kamala shared. 'But this time, it feels more intense. My mother-in-law has been especially anxious since Thursday night after watching the news. I have been been trying to reassure her that this is not a Pakistan-border area. Still, national duty comes first for him, and we are proud of him' she adds.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Andhra Minister Lokesh hails PM Modi as India's ultimate shield, promises unstoppable growth for Amaravati
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, declared that even 'a hundred Pakistans' could not harm India, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the nation's ultimate weapon against aggression. Speaking at an event marking the resumption of Amaravati's construction, Lokesh condemned Pakistan's recent actions, particularly the Pahalgam terror attack, accusing it of making a grave mistake by targeting innocent lives. 'Pakistan cannot uproot even a blade of grass on Indian soil,' he asserted, warning that Modi's decisive leadership could erase Pakistan from the world map. Lokesh claimed Pakistan's military was in chaos, with personnel resigning or fleeing, calling it a testament to Modi's formidable influence. He also criticised the previous Andhra Pradesh government's 'ruinous' 2019–2024 tenure, alleging it had deliberately stalled Amaravati's development due to personal animosity towards Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He accused the former regime of wasting five years on a three-capital proposal without laying a single brick, thus hampering the state's progress. Highlighting the Amaravati movement's resilience, Lokesh noted its 1,631-day struggle, with participation from children to the elderly under the 'Jai Amaravati' banner. He detailed the sacrifices made, including 270 farmer deaths, arrests, police brutality against women farmers, and 3,000 illegal cases filed against protesters. Saluting the farmers' unwavering spirit, Lokesh called Amaravati a 'people's capital' that no conspiracy could suppress, crediting Modi for its foundation and asserting that no force could halt its development. On domestic policy, Lokesh hailed the central government's caste census decision as a bold, historic step by Modi to empower marginalised communities, addressing decades-long struggles for social justice among backward classes. Lokesh announced that Amaravati's construction, relaunched under Modi's guidance, marked unstoppable progress for Andhra Pradesh. He outlined decentralised development plans, including the Polavaram project, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Bhogapuram Airport, and CNG plants in Prakasam. Reflecting on the post-bifurcation challenges of 2014, he praised Naidu for balancing welfare and development, with Amaravati chosen as the capital through consensus and built on farmers' sacrifices. He said regions like Rayalaseema had become electronics and automobile hubs, Godavari districts aqua hubs, and North Andhra pharma and IT hubs. Lokesh underscored the 'double-engine government' of Modi and Naidu, saying the NDA's 94% seat share in the 2024 elections reflected public trust. He said Modi's support—through initiatives like the Visakhapatnam Railway Zone, NTPC Green Energy, and the Nakkapalli Bulk Drug Park—demonstrated his commitment to Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh described Modi and Naidu as powerful engines driving development and welfare. On economic progress, Lokesh revealed that in 10 months, the state had secured Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments, generating 5 lakh jobs. A mega DSC notification for 16,347 posts had been issued, alongside major projects including NTPC Green Energy (Rs. 1.85 lakh crore, 57,000 jobs), ArcelorMittal in Anakapalli (Rs. 1.36 lakh crore, 55,000 jobs), and BPCL in Ramayapatnam (Rs. 97,000 crore, 3,000 jobs). He said investments from LG Electronics in Tirupati, renewable energy in Kurnool, Kadapa, and Anantapur, Reliance CNG in Prakasam, and pharma and IT in North Andhra were aimed at uplifting all districts. The government, he added, aimed to create 20 lakh jobs in five years, signalling a robust economic vision.
